Comments on: Pros & Cons: Big City Blogging vs. Small Town Blogging

By: Why Local Blogging Works : HyperlocalBlogger

Why Local Blogging Works : HyperlocalBlogger — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 04:39:12 +0000

[...] may be mostly a small town blogger thing, but local business, government, and organization web sites are often in pretty bad shape [...]

By: 5 Web Sites You Must Bookmark for Hyperlocal Content : HyperlocalBlogger

5 Web Sites You Must Bookmark for Hyperlocal Content : HyperlocalBlogger — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 04:35:01 +0000

[...] news blog, it’s probably a little easier — and that’s more true if you’re a big city blogger, [...]

By: More on Hyperlocal Blogging & Your Geography : HyperlocalBlogger

More on Hyperlocal Blogging & Your Geography : HyperlocalBlogger — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:05:23 +0000

[...] there are a few of you) may recall the blog post I wrote early this year in which I listed some pros and cons of Big City vs. Small Town blogging. Sound [...]

By: codadiva

codadiva — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 04:25:51 +0000

Interesting read. Every time I think I might run out of topics, I pepper them with just cool stuff. Basically as a “I’m sharing with you”. I’m more of a writer, that is focusing on living here in my; town. Instead of a city blog. However, I’m on the revitalization of our downtown and this info was really helpful.

Thanks for the read!

By: Matt

Matt — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 04:45:15 +0000

Adam – that’s a good point about outranking city/official sites. I’m making that point when I speak about local blogging next week at the SMX West conference. Agree with you 100%.

Samiam – have you found any local bloggers to connect with in Vancouver? I’d think they’d want to work with you as long as the arrangement is good for both sides.

By: Samiam500

Samiam500 — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 00:19:26 +0000

We own a number of city-specific websites and have been lately focusing on developing out http://www.vancouver.com. The time and human resources needed to run and manage a city level website are definitely much greater than for a small town.

It would be nice to find a way to work together with more niche based blogs as blogging/ social media gain even more importance with each passing day.

By: Adam Gaffin

Adam Gaffin — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 03:43:39 +0000

When it comes to search engines, I’m not seeing a major issue here in Boston. My site does not rank at all well for generic terms such as “Boston,” but that’s not necessarily a bad thing, because people doing searches on terms like that tend to be tourists who’d just be turned off by murders, explosions and inside jokes about long-gone state officials.

But, search on “Lander in the Morning” or “Steve LeVeille” (two local radio guys who’ve been laid off recently) and my site comes up really high. Specific is good and here bloggers can have an advantage over government sites and sometimes even media outlets – since our posts often have higher word density, inbound links from other local sites – and links from related posts on your own site.

By: Matt

Matt — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 00:48:25 +0000

That’s a good point about size of readership, Allen — but I’m not sure it’s necessarily a negative in all cases from the small town angle. You could say it’s a positive to have a smaller readership and be able to make real connections with these people, or something like that. But I understand the point you’re making for sure. And thx for the link.

Miriam, Rich – thank you as well for sharing your thoughts.

By: Rich

Rich — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 02:42:16 +0000

I think blogging from a larger city allows you to carve a geographic niche out of the total. Get the most vibrant (or maybe the most “nichey”) neighborhood first.

By: MiriamEllis

MiriamEllis — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 22:05:16 +0000

Hey Matt,
I think you got it right. I think there is something else to add as a potential pro or con about small town blogging. As a hyperlocal blogger in a small town, you’re a lot more likely to know or have a fairly close connection with the people and businesses you are writing about. This could mean a more personal take on life in your town, but it could also get you into hot water if you ever write anything negative.

Something to think about.
Miriam